Cultural Highlights

Since opening the Institute outreach programme has touched on many aspects of Chinese culture. From regular calligraphy classes to large scale exhibitions, the range of activities and events have reached thousands of people.

From Shanghai with Love – 2017

A new partnership between Donghua University and the Institute saw a stunning exhibition of Chinese costume and a runway show focusing on modern-day interpretations of the iconic Qipao garment. This was the first major collaboration of the Donghua Edinburgh Centre for Creative Industries. The event, held in the iconic Playfair Library, was a must see Fringe event. See our microsite for full details and a video.

Dialogue with Emperor Qin’s Warriors – 2017

Summerhall and Edinburgh Zoo were the locations for this stunning exhibition of contemporary sculptures, each the individual response of 28 artists – one from each country in the EU and three from China – to the First Emperor’s Terracotta Army in Xian. This exhibition toured to eight cities in China before making its seventh, penultimate visit to Edinburgh.Visit our microsite for more information and a complete catalogue of sculptures.

Confucius institute day – 2014

At the Wishing Tree

To mark the 10th anniversary year all Confucius Institutes around the world organised special Chinese Language Days. In Edinburgh a pop-up Chinese Tea House was erected at the Mound. Throughout the day thanks to the 70+ volunteers over 1000 people had a Chinese language lesson,while many more enjoyed Chinese tea, tried out calligraphy and Tai Chi, learned to play Chinese chess, and enjoyed a programme of on stage entertainment.

Poster art of modern China – 2014

Shan Shan with Posters

This large scale exhibition comprising a selection of 133 original Chinese art posters covering 1913-1997 was loaned by the Propaganda Poster Art Centre, Shanghai. The selection made covered the full history of the art form over a turbulent period of Chinese history. Over 5000 people visited the exhibition during its five week run at Adam House, Edinburgh. For a selection of poster images, historical timeline and a detailed introduction to the aesthetic and historical value of the exhibition please Read more on our microsite.

lanterns of the terracotta warriors – 2014

Terracotta Warrior

Larger-than-life lanterns inspired by ancient Chinese warriors added a burst of colour to the University’s Old College Quad in February 2014. This unique Chinese art installation proved to be the most popular event ever held in the Quad attracting some 30,000 visitors over the ten days. This event also marked the start of the 10th anniversary year of the global network of Confucius Institutes. Read More

A Play, A Pie and a Pint – 2013

Poster Boy by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Working with the National Theatres of Scotland and of China, this partnership saw two world premières of plays by contemporary Chinese playwrights, achieve successful week long runs in Edinburgh and Glasgow under the well-established ‘A Play, A Pie and A Pint’ lunchtime format. A panel discussion on cross-cultural engagement also took place which allowed some of the key players behind this significant initiative to share their experiences. This partnership also involved Oran Mór, SaiTa Cultural Ltd and Tian Qinxin Theatre Studio. Read More

Peking University concerts – 2012

Chinese Orchestral Concert at Canongate

A full scale orchestral concert in Canongate Kirk given by students of Peking University’s Chinese Music Institute played to a full house which enjoyed a programme of traditional Chinese music accompanied by a children’s chorus drawn from South West Scotland. During the week-long visit the Orchestra visited schools in various local authorities, performed in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens, and gave two concerts one of chamber music and one of Chinese orchestral music. Read More

Shanghai Expo exhibition – 2010

Haibao Mascot + Didi

To mark the Shanghai Expo,the Institute organised a touring exhibition to tell the story of Shanghai’s development from fishing village to the commercial capital of China and host city for the 2010 Expo. The exhibition was displayed at Scottish Government offices in Edinburgh, Scottish Enterprise in Glasgow, the Scottish Parliament, the University of Edinburgh’s main library and Ocean Terminal, one of Edinburgh largest shopping malls. Read more on our microsite.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – 2009

Poster Graphics

The Institute’s first foray onto the Edinburgh Fringe was in partnership with Beijing Film Academy whose production of this Shakespeare play featured music, dancing and martial arts fused with online computer gaming and video technology to create a visually spectacular performance. The magnificent McEwan Hall was transformed into a bizarre and fantastic dream setting using the multimedia skills of the chief video designer for the Beijing Olympics. The show was awarded four stars by the critics and seen by around 2000 people. Read more on our microsite.

China: A Photographic Portrait 2008

Family Programme

Working with the team at Edinburgh’s City Art Centre over ten weeks of the summer in 2008, the ground breaking China: A Photographic Portrait exhibition, loaned to the Institute by Guangdong Museum of Art, was seen by 11,000 paying visitors. The 600 vivid, controversial and thought-provoking images dating from 1951 to 2003 affected all those who saw the exhibition. Read more

China Now in Scotland 2008

Mme Tan + Lord Smith

China Now in Scotland was the largest ever festival of Chinese culture in the country, consisting of over 150 events drawing audiences of over 70,000, celebrating contemporary China in the year of the Beijing Olympics. The Institute coordinated and marketed the festival working in partnership with numerous partners and organisations. See our YouTube video for an overview

Cinema China 2007

Cinema China Poster

The Cinema China film festival ran at Edinburgh Filmhouse and 19 other venues around the UK and Ireland. Spanning movie making from the 1930s to 2006, it included an extensive lecture series, master classes from leading Chinese actress Maggie Cheung and director Xie Fe, special events and a schools educational programme. Read More on our microsite.